"Please, just let us enter, Miss," said Rudra with pleading eyes.
"No. I will not let you enter the academy. Who comes late on the very first day?" replied the beautiful girl, her expression slightly annoyed.
"Sorry, Miss. It won't happen again. Please, just let us inside the gate," both Rudra and Sammy said at the same time, practically begging.
"No."
"Please…" Sammy was now practically in tears, as he had never once been late in his life.
"Haaa… Fine. This is your first and last warning. Now go to the auditorium where the Headmaster will be giving his speech," the girl said, sighing heavily.
"Thank you, Miss. Thank you very much," Sammy replied, almost in tears.
.
.
.
As they entered the campus, they paused to take in the breathtaking surroundings.
From the front, the academy loomed like a futuristic fortress, its façade a seamless blend of steel, glass, and light. The main entrance stretched wide, framed by towering pillars embedded with LED strips that shifted colors in a slow rhythm, as though the building itself was breathing. Above, the academy's crest glowed in holographic brilliance, suspended in the air like a beacon guiding all who approached.
The campus unfolded behind the gates in a grand panorama. A broad avenue led straight into the heart of the grounds, lined with vertical gardens climbing skyward, their greenery contrasting against the sharp geometry of the structures. Students streamed through the gates, their footsteps echoing on polished stone, while autonomous shuttles glided silently past, ferrying passengers deeper into the complex.
From this vantage point, the crystalline dome of the library dominated the skyline, its surface refracting city lights into prismatic bursts. To the left, sleek lecture halls rose in angular tiers, while to the right, rooftop cafés and digital art installations pulsed with color. The entire campus seemed alive—a city within a city—and standing at its threshold felt like gazing into the future itself.
--
Amazed by the beauty of the surroundings, Rudra suddenly slipped on the wet marble. He was caught—not by Sammy—but by the same beautiful girl. Her grip was surprisingly firm, and she was startled by how thin Rudra was.
Rudra, constantly bullied for being the only human on the planet without a divine blessing from the gods, was painfully aware of his frailty. Seeing the scene, others began to laugh at him, realizing his identity. Flustered, Rudra stood up silently and was about to walk away when the girl stopped him.
"What are your names?" she asked.
"Rudra."
"Sammy."
"I will remember both of your names," she said seriously.
"Alright then, we'll leave. We have to reach the auditorium," Sammy replied.
"What's your name?" Rudra asked the girl.
"Amanda Hart."
"Oh… Okay then. Bye, Amanda."
"Bye," Amanda said again, her face serious.
As Rudra walked away, Amanda muttered to herself, "Why do I suddenly feel that this Rudra could either become my best friend… or my worst enemy?" Goosebumps ran down her arms as she glanced at him.
.
.
.
Walking away, Sammy whispered to Rudra,
"Did we get on her bad side?"
"Definitely."
"Let's hope this doesn't turn out worse than it already is."
But hopeless as they were, neither had studied the handbook given by the academy. They struggled to find the auditorium.
"Damn it! Why is the auditorium so far from the main building?" Sammy panted, exhausted from running yet again.
"Barely made it on time…" Rudra muttered, adding a few unpleasant words under his breath.
---
Inside, the ceremony began.
"Hello everyone. My name is Alex, and I am your Headmaster. As you can see, I am an old fellow—but also the strongest person in this academy. Leaving my personal details aside, I welcome you all to this wonderful institution. For now, you are temporary candidates. To become permanent students, you must pass the entrance exam. There will be to three parts: practical,physical and moral exam. Be thoroughly prepared. Lastly, know this—I am a man who takes morals and values very seriously."
After him came Adam Knight, the Student Council President and the strongest third-year student. He gave a detailed briefing on the academy's rules. Following that, the President of the School Clubs addressed the students, reminding them that membership in at least two clubs was compulsory.
.
.
.
Finally, Alex spoke again:
"The entrance exam will begin in 30 minutes. Get ready—and remember, I am the man who takes morals and values very seriously